Determination of solid-liquid adhesion work on flat surfaces in a direct and absolute manner

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry

Background:

• Direct determination of solid-liquid work of adhesion is crucial for scientific and industrial applications.
• Existing methods often rely on model assumptions and are subject to contact angle uncertainties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a new method for directly measuring the work of adhesion on flat surfaces.
• To overcome limitations of existing techniques by eliminating model assumptions and contact angle dependencies.
• To enable separate determination of adhesion work in advancing and receding situations.

Main Methods:

• A novel experimental approach was developed for direct measurement of adhesion work.
• The method operates independently of contact angle measurements and associated uncertainties.
• It allows for distinct measurements of adhesion work during surface wetting (advancing) and dewetting (receding).

Main Results:

• The new method successfully determined adhesion work directly on flat surfaces.
• Measured values were validated against the Young-Dupré equation across a wide contact angle range (0°-120°).
• The Young-Dupré equation was confirmed experimentally for both advancing and receding scenarios.

Conclusions:

• The developed method provides an absolute, thermodynamic quantity for solid-liquid adhesion work.
• This direct measurement is insensitive to experimental parameters, enhancing reliability.
• The obtained adhesion work values are directly applicable in further scientific and engineering calculations.